Odds-on choice Glory Be Mine registered her seventh consecutive win when she led gate to wire to take the $151,575 New Mexico Classic Cup Championship Filly Stakes at Zia Park Oct. 31.
It was one of two wins on the day for trainer Todd Fincher, who captured four races during last year's New Mexico Classic program. The 11-race card for state breds, which included seven Thoroughbred races and four for Quarter Horses, was worth about $2 million, making it the richest day of its kind in American racing.
Glory Be Mine, ridden by Joe Martinez, scored by a half-length over Elvira Who as the 3-5 favorite, keeping intact a winning streak that began in the third race of the 3-year-old filly's career. The daughter of Dome--Princess Zahra, by Polish Navy, owned by Bobby McQueen and Dale Taylor, completed the six furlongs for sophomore fillies in 1:10.67 over a fast track.
The chestnut filly captured last year's New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile Fillies and improved her career record to seven wins in nine starts with earnings of $412,638. Ginger Washburn bred the winner, a $13,000 yearling buy.
Glory Be Mine paid $3.20 to win. Elvira Who finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of the show horse, Awintersdream.
Fincher just missed a repeat in the $192,075 Rocky Gulch New Mexico Cup Classic Championship, the featured event on the program, when 17-1 shot Double Smart nosed his Enchanted Outlaw in the final jump of the one-mile event.
Enchanted Outlaw, who won last year's race by 8 1/2 lengths, went to the front after a quarter-mile and dueled with He's a Tough Dude before taking control. He owned a 1 1/2-length advantage mid-stretch for jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. But Double Smart, a 4-year-old gelding ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman, shifted off the rail at that point needing to make up three lengths. They reached the wire in a perfectly timed finish.
The Ray Ashford-trained Double Smart was timed in 1:37.35.
Roger K. Beasley and Leach Racing's homebred son of Premeditation--Miss Einstein, by Beau Genius, earned $114,900 for the biggest win of his career. His fifth victory overall in 22 starts boosted his bankroll to $233,199.
Double Smart paid $37.80 for the win and combined with Enchanted Outlaw, off at odds of 9-2, for a $413.60 exacta. It was 1 1/4 lengths back to the show horse, Runnin Red. Lesters Secret, the 11-10 favorite, faded to last in the field of 11.
Fincher's second win came in the $182,690 New Mexico Classic Cup Sprint Championship with 11-10 choice Smash Dancer, who held off second pick Lefty Who for a neck victory in a front-running effort at six furlongs.
Three-year-old Smash Dancer, breaking from the far outside in the field of 12 for jockey Miguel Hernandez, clocked 1:09.31 for his fifth win in 12 races for owner/breeder Barbara M. Coleman.
The gelded son of Robyn Dancer--Some Smash, by Rare Brick, the only 3-year-old in the field, improved his career earnings to $200,700.
Lefty Who finished 4 1/2 lengths clear of the show horse, Bonndaddy's.
In the $182,690 Peppers Pride New Mexico Classic Cup Filly/Mare Championship, 9-10 choice Cali Baby, ridden by Juarez, thoroughly dominated her 11 foes with a 9 1/2-length triumph.
Cali Baby, overcoming the far outside post in the one-mile test, steadily circled the field to open up a wide advantage in the lane and cruised home well ahead of La Sorpresa. It was 3 1/4 lengths to Pretty Danseur in third. Final time was 1:37.71.
Bred by Chris P. and Tina L. Hourigan and owned in partnership with UKUSA Stables, Cali Baby is a 4-year-old daughter of Thatsusintheolbean--Aquarellist, by Ole'. The bay filly, trained by Eric Mikkelson, earned her seventh win in 13 lifetime starts and improved her earnings to $263,774.
Marjorie Martin’s 3-5 favorite Russian Lane prevailed by a neck at over Silent Sunday for his fourth win from five starts in the $152,690 New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile Colts and Geldings.
Russian Lane ($3.20), ridden by Jorge Bourdieu, outfought 15-1 shot Silent Sunday in a classic speed duel, finishing the six furlongs in 1:10.86.
Cal Martin is the winning conditioner. Vessels Stallion Farm and John K. Goodman bred the chestnut colt by Devon Lane--Russian Bonus, by Bonus Money.
Beau Wizer finished third in the field of a dozen 2-year-old males.
The $152,690 New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile Fillies went to W.T. Stradley and Tom Williams’ homebred Squall Wilbud, who defeated 4-5 favorite Shamrock Girl by a neck.
Under a strong hand ride from Juarez, who won two on the day, Squall Wilbud ($14.80) ran down Shamrock Girl to post a 6-1 upset, racing the six furlongs in 1:10.96 for her second stakes win.
The Fred Danley-trained filly won the Copper Top Futurity at Sunland Park in April for her only other win from nine starts. Highspeed Rescue was third, 4 1/4 lengths farther back.
Squall Wilbud is a bay filly by Squall out of Fancywilfly, by Jack Wilson.
Freda McSwane and Joe Walters’ Train Rider Blues rallied from near the rear of pack early with a determined charge around horses to win the $149,845 New Mexico Classic Cup Championship Colts and Geldings for 3-year-olds.
Martinez picked up his first of two wins on the day aboard Train Rider Blues ($13.40), who raced the six furlongs in 1:09.99 to win by a scant head over 73-1 shot Herbal Slew, who led all the way but was denied at the wire. Chuchuluco, the 1-2 favorite for Fincher, was a nose back in third.
Train Rider Blues scored his third 2010 stakes win for trainer Terry Walker.
Bred by T.J. and Sharon Monsen, Traine Rider Blues is by Desert God--Cara Marisa, by Hennessy.